Nubra Valley tour

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive late evening at New Delhi International airport. Upon arrival at International Airport, you will be met by our representative, after a traditional 'Swagat' (Indian welcome consisting of Aarti-Tikka and garlands) our representative would assist you at airport & transfer to hotel for two nights.

Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would introduce the tour to you and hand over the documents to you.

Day 02: Delhi

Full Day
Today we take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, Visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw ride through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jehan.

In New Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India.

We will also visit Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 03: Delhi - Nalagarh (300kms / 6 hrs approx.)
Breakfast at the Coffee Shop, Later drive to Nalagarh, stopping en route at a tourism restaurant for lunch (to be paid for by themselves) and arrive Chandigarh and visit Rock Garden, Pinjore Garden and Sukhna Lake (If time allows) Later Drive to Nalagarh Fort, Dinner and Overnight stay at the hotel.

Nalagarh is the capital of the Kingdom of Hindur, founded by Raja Ajai Chand in 1100 A.D. It was ruled by the Chandela Rajputs who originate from Chanderi in the Bundelkhand region of Central India. The famous Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandela kings of yore. The fort was built during the reign of Raja Bikram Chand in 1421. Nalagarh is the gateway to Himachal Pradesh in North India, 300 kms north of Delhi and is located on a hillock at the foot of the hills.

Day 04: Nalagarh / Manali (245 kms / 6 hrs)

Morning Breakfast at the Hotel, And depart hotel at 0800 hrs for Manali, Arrive Manali by 1400hrs,
After lunch explore the adjoining forests w ith blooming mountain flowers, Breathe in the fresh mountain air of Manali, the most famous hill resort in Himachal Pradesh. the pine covered slopes, the panoramic mountain vistas, the gushing waters of the Beas river are sure to enthrall you as you embark on a tour of Naggar Castle, Roerich's Art gallery, Hadimba Devi Temple, Tibetan Monastery. Evening is at leisure.

Day 05 & 06: Manali - Leh: (Manali to Leh Jeep Safari)
Two days drive from Manali to reach Leh on Day 06.

Considered as one of the highest roads in the world, Manali-Leh highway is the most popular and spectacular approach to Ladakh. From the months of end June to October this highway is open. It's a very scenic route, full of adventure and rugged beauty. The road was closed for the civilian use till 1990, but now the adventure and nature lovers worship it, for this road gives closest contact with nature and thrill of being on the top of the world is enormous.

Day 05:
First day we cross Rohtang Pass (3978 m), Keylong (3350 m), Baralacha Pass (4890m) with overnight stopover at Sarchu (4253 m), border of the states of Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul) and Jammu & Kashmir (Ladakh).

Day 06:
Today, the road from Sarchu crosses high mountain Passes of Namika La and Lachalung La to reach the army camp in the Pang valley. The dry barren mountains around Pang are eroded in very spectacular way. They look like giant fortress like structures with spires, pinnacles and windows. From Pang, the road climbs up and reaches a different world altogether.

Here is the flat high desert of More Plains, 50-60 km of road bisecting it. This is Rupshu, an extension of Changthang plateau of Tibet. The road then climbs for Tanglang Pass (5415 m), the second highest mountain Pass in Ladakh and then finally reaches Leh. This 475 km Himalayan journey is a visual delight with not one moment of boredom en route.

DAY 07: Leh
AM: Excursion to Phyang & Spituk
PM: Excursion to Sankar Gompa & Shanti Stupa
Phyang, Located 22 Kms from Leh. The monastery is remarkably built on the hilltop, similar to the Likir monastery. This monastery belongs to the Degungpa order. On the way back visit to Spituk monastery which was founded by Od Lde, in the 11th century AD. In those days the gompa belonged to the Kadampa School but Gelukpa order was introduced during the region of King Dragspa Bum ilde, when Lama Lhawang Lotus restored the monastery.

Later we drive back to hotel on time for lunch
Later in the afternoon, guided sightseeing tour visiting the Sanker Gompa, which is towards the north of the Town, it has an impressive). Later visit Shanti Stupa, The Japanese for World Peace built the Shanti Stupa, at Changspa, on the hilltop, and was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985. Its state of the art work attracts a lot of tourists to Ladakh and is spectacular to watch. From there one can see the nice spectacular view of Leh town.

DAY 08: Leh
Today we proceed for Indus Valley monastery tour. We start with a visit to Shey the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a large silver lamp burning in front of the statue.

Then we visit Thiksey Gompa an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future. Drive further to visit the famous Hemis Gompa founded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyall.
Hemis is one of the largest and richest gompas of Ladakh.The two-day festival of monastic dance in June-July has raised the reputation of Hemis particularly high. The festival is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as second Buddha and responsible for spreading Buddhism in the Tibetan world.

DAY 09: Leh - Pangong - Leh
Leave early morning at 5AM to Pangong Lake through Changla pass 5486 Mtrs. While ascending Changla pass 5486 Mtrs.

Enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the villages below the pass. After crossing the pass halt for picnic lunch at Tsoltak, the summer pastureland of the yaks.

Arrive Durbuk and from there a short drive takes you to the western shore of the lake. Enjoy the landscape in the back drop of the Lake. This famous blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 Kms wide and over 144 Kms long with half of its running the other side of the "INDO CHINA BORDER". One rarely feels so close to nature and environment and the scenery is unforgettable. In the late afternoon drive back to Leh.

Day 10: Leh - Lamayuru - Rizong - Alchi
Lamayuru lower ladakh its also called as sham. Lamayuru Gompa: The oldest holy site in Ladakh, it was a bon shrine prior to the advent of Buddhism. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is sited on a high promontory overlooking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value no other Gompa can match Lamayuru.

After visit at lamayuru Gonpa the drive to Ridzong Gompa: There is no road to Rizong Gompa hence one has to walk to the monastery which is deep into the mountains. Rizong Gompa is known as the paradise for Meditation. Guru Padma Sambhava is believed to editated here for years. One can still find the small caves where Lamas used to meditate for years cutting themselves from the rest of the world except for a one feet square outlet window from where they accept the one time meal of the day.

After Ridzong vsit drive back to Alchi and clients like to visit alchi monastery then walk to Alchi gonpa just near the camp Alchi Gonpa: an active religious center, Alchi Gompa: 70 Kms from Leh, on the banks of the Indus, is the Alchi Gompa dating a thousand years back. One of its walls features thousands of miniature sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal attractions. No longer have monks looked it after from the Liker monastery.

Day 11: Alchi - Likir -Leh
Likir Gompa: Founded in the 11th century and rededicated to a different monastic order in the 15th century, its earlier Gompa was destroyed in a fire. The present Gompa dated back to the 18th century. Skilled craftsmen producing excellent Thankas, earthen pots and carved wooden folding stools, live here in the village. Majestically situated, Likir commands a spectacular view. A magnificent giant Jupiter tree, one of the few survivors of its species, stands in the courtyard.

Day12: Leh - Nubra (126 km) (42OOm/ 5-6hrs. Drive)
After breakfast drive to Nubra Valley the road to the Nubra Valley goes through the highest motorable pass in the world at Khardung La (5602m) The Pass is almost permanently covered in fog and snow,

On arrival in the Nubra valley Nubra means green used to be on the trading roué connecting Tibet with Turkistan, and was the navy of Turkisatn which invaded it several times. Also know as the Valley of flowers, Nubra has always been well cultivated and fertile, with the best climate in Ladakh, so grains and fruit, such as apples and apricots, have always been plentiful. Ninety per cent of Nubra's population is Buddhist.

Nubra's much known monastery, Samstaling is situated on the mountainside just above Sumur. This was the route taken by the trade caravans, and Panamik, the last village on this circuit, was at that time a busy centre, the last major settlement before the caravans plunged into the mountains of the Karakoram and the Kun-Lu. Here they invariable halted for a few days to make final preparations for getting over the mountains, or to recuperate afterwards. There would be no supplies, not even grazing for the animals, for about 12 days after Panamik, so they had to carry all their provisions for that time.

Day 13: Nubra
Full day visit of Nubra Valley first visit the hot sulphur springs at the village of Panamik, the last destination travellers are permitted to travel to in Nubra are believed to have certain medicinal qualities that cure a number of ailments.

Later 3-4 hrs walk till the Esna monastery that is over 250 years old. This is the oldest monastry in Nunbra valley. Return drive to camp rest of the time at camp.

Day 14: Nubra - Leh
After breakfast drive to Leh over the Khardungla pass.
On arrival check in hotel. Rest of the evening at leisure or one can explore the beauty of Leh on their own

Day 15: Leh - Delhi (By Flight)
In the morning transfer to the airport to catch the flight for Delhi. Upon arrival you will met by our representative and transfer to your prearranged hotel for overnight stay.

Day 16: Depart Delhi
Our tour concludes: We thank you for your patronage & look forward to serve you again in near future.